I am looking for the most comfortable combat style boot for long hikes. I want something that wont tare my feet up and can be work with torn up feet. It must be water proof not resistant and be good from -10 to 90 degrees farinheit.
I have worn Rocky Para Trooper boots which got wet easily and where not padded at all.
I have also worn 10 inch Corcoran Super Crazy Jump boots But once again leather inside was bad for long hikes, feet got wet in rain, and the boots looked good but functionally sucked.
I need a set of black boots that are as good or better than the Danner USMC boots. Is the Arcadia the best most comfortable combat boot? What grain gortex should I get for -10 to 90 degrees farinheit? Are there any Cons to getting steel toed?
My Danner work boots are the best boots I have ever owned. I have abused them to high hell, and they keep coming back for more. After 5 years of standing in muck, and inches of water, they are only now showing a small (very small) leak that is completely tolerable in up to 4 inches of water. Last time I checked all of their top tier products are still manufactured in the US (in Oregon actually). They have a great return service, and warranty program too.
I realize I am not talking about the model you are looking at, but I would suggest this company in a heart beat, and I have done so to every person that has asked similar questions for the last 5 years.
Definitely could be considered heavy and hot. I personally like them (although I prefer the Ft. Lewis boots), but a lot of the guys at work that spend a lot of time on their feet hate them.
I own three pairs of Danners. One pair Recon, one pair Mountain Light II, and one pair of hot weather boots.
Now, I wear my Merrel Moabs all the time. Lighter, breathe better, more comfortable, and offer great ankle and arch support. I have a gore-tex pair and a ventilator pair, and I’m sold on these things. No, I don’t think they’ll last as long as my Danner’s will, what with the recrafting options, but I can buy a NEW pair for the price of a resole (which might be better for my joints in the long run anyhow).
You should be able to at least try a pair on at any Dick’s or Gander Mountain store to see if they’re to your liking.
The Merrel MOAB(XCR) doesn’t hold up very well over long and/or hard use.They’re awesome in every other way.Very light,breathable,water proof(for what I’ve asked of them anyway),and very comfortable.I originally got them as a hiking boot for occasional use and they’ve ended up replacing(for the most part) my tennis shoes for everyday casual wear as well.
I just bought a third pair(still wearing my second) because I caught them on sale for $80 at a local shop.They’ll probably stay in the box for a few more months.
Also got a pair of the Jungle mocs for a house shoe while I was at it.I don’t care for the look of these,but they’re very comfortable and offer excellent support and traction for a slip-on.
As a “long hiking boot” I think the Arcadias are way too heavy as well. They are very strudy, and comfortable, but I wouldnt want to wear them for long hiking duty because of their weight.
I would look at some of Asolo’s offerings for what you say you are in need of. The Asolo Power Matic 200 is a fantastic boot. they are black, but have a small strip of red/orange fabric that can be easily covered up with a sharpie black marker. The Salomon Quest also is a very nice boot for your stated needs. Waterproof, lightweight & warm.
[QUOTE=Jerm;624624]The Merrel MOAB(XCR) doesn’t hold up very well over long and/or hard use.They’re awesome in every other way.Very light,breathable,water proof(for what I’ve asked of them anyway),and very comfortable.I originally got them as a hiking boot for occasional use and they’ve ended up replacing(for the most part) my tennis shoes for everyday casual wear as well.
I just bought a third pair(still wearing my second) because I caught them on sale for $80 at a local shop.They’ll probably stay in the box for a few more months.
Also got a pair of the Jungle mocs for a house shoe while I was at it.I don’t care for the look of these,but they’re very comfortable and offer excellent support and traction for a slip-on.
…Should have bought two extra pairs of the MOAB.[/Q
Got mine for about 80 as well, from ShoeBuy.com. They carry Danners and many others as well. Free shipping is nice, and I think you get 10% off just for registering with them. I like to keep my eyes out, and when there’s a sale I always grab some boots up.
They are fine if you like the feeling of lead weights on your feet, and at the same time being blasted by a hair dryer.
Lowa, Meindl, and Asolo make great boots that are lighter, and more comfortable. Europeans know how to make hiking boots. Americans dont. Just that easy. There are a few small custom shops in the US that make boots but they are made European style anyways, and cost more. If you have odd shaped feet its an option to look at.
I would also spend the extra money for some that are leather lined (not fabric). I would also avoid Gore-Tex as it works ok when new but in boots it will break down quickly. You’re better off buying a set with quality leather uppers, and waterproof them if you plan on getting them wet. I use this stuff: http://www.schnees.com/product/588/waterproofing-and-shoe-care
The Danner USMC Temperate boots fit me better than anything else so I hope the Acadias also fit that well. Should I go with regular tread or Virbram tread? Should I get uninsulated steel toe no insulation, 200, or 400 gram insulation? I want it to work from -10 to 90 degres F.
Anything else you have tried??? Do yourself a favor and try something different. If you were dead-set on another set of Danners, then why ask? While Danner does make some solid, HD boots, they arent the best long hiking boots by any stretch.
I would get a lighter or mid weight insulation for the summer, and wear quality wool socks (SmartWool) in the winter for insulation.
What kind of hiking are you going to be doing? If your going to be walking on trails with light loads for just a day get a nice light hiking boot. If your going to be on trails carrying a very heavy load get a higher topped stiffer sturdier boot Like a Lowa, Meindl, and Asolo . If your going to be walking off trail in the middle of no where stepping on god only knows what I would go with a more military style boot. The only problem I have with hiking boots is they do not come up the leg enough to protect when off the beaten path.
Your temperature range is very wide. I can think of no one boot to fit your range. You could get a desert boot and then shove huge socks in for the winter but your fit might not fit or vise versa. It could be done but is not going to be optimal. I think you need two boots. One warm from 35 to 90 vary medium weight and light weight socks depending on temps. Then for the 35 to -10 get a dedicated winter boot with some insulation.
You might be able to find one boot that works for all your conditions but your going to be making some serious compromises.
I want to use them mainly for urban streets, paved trails, and off road trails. I will wear them all year long. Will 200g insulation be bad for 88* Ferenheit? Not sure if I should go uninsulated or 200g since I will be wearing between 0*-90* F.
Your requirements are all over the map here. There really isn’t a boot that works great for the temperature ranges you have laid out. Can you think of a jacket you would want to wear in 0-88 degree weather? There’s a reason the military has warm and cold weather boots. The problem with a big, heavy, “waterproof” boot is that it will make your feet sweat like crazy, even when it’s cold out. If it’s raining out or you have to cross water your feet will get soaked no matter how waterproof your boots are. I recommend a lighter weight, breathable boot. They stay drier while you’re moving and if they get soaked they dry out much faster than full leathers. Look at military units that get to choose their own gear and spend a lot of time walking around off road. They sure as hell aren’t wearing corcoran jump boots!
Stuff has given you good advice if you really are stuck to just owning one pair of boots. Get something light and wear heavy socks when it gets cold out. Make sure they’re loose enough with the heavy socks that they won’t cut off circulation and size them after you’ve been walking so your feet have expanded. Usually people get boots that are a little too small.
If you’re going to be mountaineering you need to look into specialized footwear for that environment. Otherwise I really like Merrel Sawtooths as an all around boot. Lowa and Asolo are also really good.
I would look at Lowa, lighter boot no gore-tex, maybe some super green feet to put in them, depending on boot choice, wear heavy socks for cold all good solid advice given already in this thread just parroting.
for a water proof awesome boot I rock these http://www.rei.com/product/780681 super comfy and well built boot. I wear salomons trail runners too, great company with great products. I run one of their snowboards as well as boots and bindings.
I just went through this over the past couple of years and this is what I think: If you’re going to be hiking or walking any distance (more than a couple miles at a time without stopping- not standing around or doing construction work) Go with a non-lined, non-gortex, quick-drying boot for everything above freezing. Simply adjust for colder temps with thicker socks. For mild freezing temps with snow (30F to 0F), consider an uninsulated goretex boot.
Maybe it’s because my feet sweat alot, but I couldn’t make my goretex Bellvilles work in any kind of warm weather (65 to about 90) for hiking. My feet would completely soak my socks before I’d gone three miles and I’d start getting blisters in weird places like the fronts of the balls of my feet. I tried a pair of OTB desertlites, which are basically lighter jungle boots with an improved sole, and the problem went away.
These experiences were all carrying a 40lb pack on trails.
My experience using goretex boots as workboots has been pretty positive though. There were several times I appreciated the waterproofing and added warmth, since I spent a lot of time standing in one place while working on something, with only a few short walks to and from a truck or different areas of the work site.
I think it was the additional exertion of constant movement with a pack combined with the additional pressure on my feet from the added weight that made the difference. The goretex just can’t “breath” the moisture out fast enough and the addition of weight helped bunch the damp socks against my feet, increasing friction.
your experience pretty much mirrors mine. A downside to full leather boots with a lot of insulation is that when they get wet they’re wet for a long ass time. I have some full leather/ gore tex winter boots that take at least 48 hours to dry in the field with sock changes. A lighter unlined boot with good socks lets you switch out to dry socks when you have time and there isn’t as much water stored by the boot.
Anyone who wants to learn a lot about shoe selection and foot care might want to check out a book called “fixing your feet”. I can’t remember the author’s name but it’s an MD that runs ultramarathons. One of the tip I remember is to put antiperspirant on your feet to cut down on sweat (which leads to friction and blisters).